Vehicles

1924 Ford Model T

1938 K-15 Studebaker

1947 Studebaker

1949 Jeep brush truck

1952 White

1964 International

1964

1972 GMC brush truck

1975 White

1985 Pierce

1924

This was the first vehicle purchased by the Oldwick Fire Company and had an estimated cost of $1250-$1500. The truck was a Ford Model T, described as a ‘one ton job’. The truck was a chemical pumper in which chemicals were mixed and gave off a gas which pressurized the trucks tanks and forced water through the hoses and nozzles.

1938

This was the first vehicle of the restarted Oldwick Fire Company. The truck chassis was a K-15 Studebaker. The truck body was outfitted by the Philadelphia Fire Truck Company. The chassis cost $790 and the truck body was $2395 for a total of $3185

1947

Studebaker with a cost of $1927 for the truck chassis. The total truck price, including a Darley pump was approximately $7000.

1949

Jeep Brush truck. This was a used vehicle with a cost of $4000.

1952

The truck chassis was a White. The truck had a 750 gpm Darley pump. The body was built at Gold Crest in Dunellen NJ. This construction arrangement was at a significant savings to Ward and LaFrance options. Dan Coughlin who oversaw the truck construction, drove to Chicago to pick up the truck pump in order to expedite construction. The truck was converted to a tender in the 1980s and was ‘retired’ to parade status in the 1990s. Truck costs were $18,000.

1964

International pumper. This truck was parked in the firehouse ‘dining room’ as the firehouse engine bays were used by the pumper and brush trucks. The design included an open cab and front pump mount. This truck was purchased for $24,750.

1972

GMC brush truck – This truck, which replaced the 1949 Jeep, consisted of a GMC four-wheel drive pickup body in which the pump was integrated into the truck drive system. The truck total cost was $7,000. The truck, when retired was given to Tewksbury Township road department where it served for several years.

1975

White pumper – The truck body was originally designed to be a garbage truck and was purchased ‘at a good price’. The truck was outfitted as a pumper at a cost of $53,000. This was the last truck purchased with a ‘beavertail’ where firefighters stood on the ‘tail’ at the rear of the truck while riding to fires.

1985

Pierce Pumper – This truck was purchased to replace the 1964 International Pumper. This was the company’s first vehicle with additional seating. It was also the first vehicle with ‘air pack seats’. The truck was built at a cost of $150,000.

1991

International pumper- This truck was purchased due to the large number of recently installed ‘long and narrow’ driveways built to residential structures. Existing equipment could not make it up some driveways in bad winter weather. Due to the opening of Interstate 78 in the late 1980s, this truck became the first response truck to vehicle incidents as it held cribbing, jacks, ‘jaws of life’ etc. The truck design included a front-mounted pump. The truck was built at a cost of $215,000.

1999

Ford Brush truck – This truck replaced the 1972 brush truck. The design included a ‘skid mounted’ pump system which slid into the truck body. Jeff Hayes oversaw the truck construction including many features installed by Jeff himself including a forward mounted spray system. The truck was outfitted at $39,000.

2000

Pierce Tender – This truck was purchased due to the number of isolated residences that were built within the township during the past 20 years. Homes were built with little consideration to water supplies. In addition, the tender became an integral part of the hazmat tactics for both Interstate 78 and increasing Route 517 truck traffic. While the James Street firehouse was operational, this truck was housed in the James Street Township Garage. The truck was built at a cost of $425,000

2003

Chief Vehicle- This used, 1995 Chevrolet Suburban was outfitted as a command vehicle at a cost of $14,400

2008

Pierce Pumper – This truck was purchased to replace the 1985 Pierce pumper. This truck was built at a cost of $525,000.